The View of Children, 1500-1800

Summary: In the 16th century, the overall perception of childhood was bad. A perception by some was that children were inherently evil, unless they were specifically raised to resist evil. In the 17th century the view of children drastically changed, in that a child was perceeved innocent and blind to the evil in the world

The View of Children, 1500-1800

The methods of parenting and child raising differed from the 16th century to the 18th century. The practices from the 16th century would, by modern standards be considered extreme and ineffectual. While, the methods developed and implemented in the 17th and 18th centuries would now, be considered more appropriate. Their were many differences in the perception and practices toward children, however their were consistencies in them. The main being that through the 16th century to the 18th century the views of children became progressively better.

In the earliest period, the 16th century, the overall perception of childhood was bad. A perception by some was that children were inherently evil, unless they were raised to resist evil, they were bent on destruction(D-1). This belief walked hand in hand with the belief that "good can be beaten into children"(D-11) that many followed during...